Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading

For January 20th from The Journey: A Calendar Book we read, "Those who know do. Those who understand teach" (Aristotle).

        Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle was born circa 384 B.C. in Stagira, a small town on the northern coast of Greece that was once a seaport. Aristotle’s father, Nicomachus, was court physician to the Macedonian king Amyntas II. Although Nicomachus died when Aristotle was just a young boy, Aristotle remained closely affiliated with and influenced by the Macedonian court for the rest of his life. Little is known about his mother, Phaestis; she is also believed to have died when Aristotle was young. After Aristotle’s father died, Proxenus of Atarneus, who was married to Aristotle’s older sister, Arimneste, became Aristotle’s guardian until he came of age. When Aristotle turned 17, Proxenus sent him to Athens to pursue a higher education. At the time, Athens was considered the academic center of the universe. In Athens, Aristotle enrolled in Plato’s Academy, Greek’s premier learning institution, and proved an exemplary scholar. Aristotle maintained a relationship with Greek philosopher Plato, himself a student of Socrates, and his academy for two decades. Plato died in 347 B.C. Because Aristotle had disagreed with some of Plato’s philosophical treatises, Aristotle did not inherit the position of director of the academy, as many imagined he would (biography.com).

I am learning much in my already brief time within the fringes of the Yupik people. My first lesson learned is "listen".  This may sound strange initially coming from a therapist, one who was educated to be a good listener, to reflect, then to listen more; but to the Yupik listening means far more.  It means listening to the point of invisibility.  Teaching comes from the marvelous, sometimes sad, oftentimes unbelievable stories which comprise their lives.  

        Teachers in today's world are well aware of the idiom, "Those who can't, teach".  It's such a shame in a world where more and more is placed in the hands of teachers to be responsible for when it comes to our children there continue to be those who wish to discredit the very individuals we entrust so much to.  I often wonder where Aristotle's words first began being construed and why the individual who did so felt such a disdain for educators.

        Fortunately we can rely on those with common sense to look past those with such small minds and look at each separately and not judge all due to the actions of a few.

"Those who know, do.  Those who understand, teach" (Aristotle).

Become a listener, become invisible; then you'll learn.  Keep looking up.  : )  AJ